“Deadpool & Wolverine,” which was released on July 26, was an anticipated summer blockbuster for me as a fan of the last two movies in the series. The film, directed by Shawn Levy, did not disappoint. It became one of my favorite recent Marvel Cinematic Universe-released projects, maybe even since “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
When the Walt Disney Co., which owns Marvel, got the rights to Deadpool after acquiring 20th Century Fox in 2019, I was apprehensive of what Disney would do with the raunchy, F-bomb-dropping, R-rated antihero. However, it did not tone him down.
In “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel wove Deadpool into the MCU using the multiverse and the Time Variance Authority from the Marvel series “Loki.” That is one downfall of the movie — “Loki” is almost a must-see to understand who the TVA is and where Deadpool fits into the timeline, which could be confusing to some viewers.
But “Deadpool and Wolverine” was genuinely one of the best MCU productions I have seen in a while and could be a resurrection for Marvel, which was seemingly on a downhill run as fans fell behind or experienced “superhero fatigue.”
Not only is the film enjoyable, but it had the feeling of older Marvel as a nice superhero movie that wasn’t too convoluted to understand. While it still featured the multiverse, the trope did not seem as tired and worn through as it did in other recent Marvel productions.
The film takes the stance that shows Marvel knows people are tired of the multiverse trope and aren’t enjoying the MCU as much and runs with it. Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, repeatedly refers to himself as “MCU Jesus” in one of the funniest running bits through the whole movie.
Reynolds’ costar, Hugh Jackman, returned to the role of Wolverine after a send-off in “Logan.” Fans thought that was the end of Jackman gracing the screens as Wolverine, however, a joke in “Deadpool & Wolverine” states Jackman seems to be in it until he’s 90.
Several years off from Wolverine, Jackman has not lost the character — bringing Wolverine back to the screens with perfection. The opening scene sees Deadpool dancing to NSYNC with Wolverine’s skeleton, which sets a hilarious tone for the movie.
The dynamic between Wolverine and Deadpool is also off the charts. The film is two hours of Wolverine-on-Deadpool action as they fight basically the whole time with fists — and claws — and words. What else were two regenerative antiheroes with anger issues going to do?
To anyone looking for a Halloween duo costume: look no further than these two. I bet it is going to be very popular come spooky season.
The movie does not just rely on the fanfare of Wolverine and Deadpool; it is full of cameos. Chris Evans appears on screen, though not as Captain America — he reprised his role as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch.
Evans is not the only cameo in the movie that brings back characters long left dusty on movie fans' shelves — Elektra, played by Jennifer Garner, and Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, also appear.
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The movie introduces a plethora of Wolverines and Deadpools as Deadpool travels through the multiverse and as they travel through The Void. The Deadpool variants are some of the most amusing parts of the movie, including a floating-head Deadpool, Lady Deadpool, Baby Deadpool and my personal favorite, Dogpool. Dogpool is the standout in the movie as he is played by adorable Peggy, who won Britain’s “ugliest dog” contest in 2023, according to BBC.
Deadpool and Wolverine is a must-see, with a wide range of cameos and characters and a humorous plot line. For anyone feeling the Marvel burnout, this is definitely a cure. Who else but Deadpool could be MCU Jesus?
Elizabeth Secor is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @esecor2003
Elizabeth Secor is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted on Twitter @esecor2003
